New Palestine, Indiana

Coordinates: 39°44′21″N 85°53′38″W / 39.73917°N 85.89389°W / 39.73917; -85.89389
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New Palestine, Indiana
Town of New Palestine
New Palestine in 2016
New Palestine in 2016
Nickname: 
New Pal
Location of New Palestine in Hancock County, Indiana.
Location of New Palestine in Hancock County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 39°44′21″N 85°53′38″W / 39.73917°N 85.89389°W / 39.73917; -85.89389
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyHancock
TownshipSugar Creek
Area
 • Total1.99 sq mi (5.15 km2)
 • Land1.98 sq mi (5.13 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
824 ft ([2] m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,744
 • Density1,385.86/sq mi (534.96/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
46163
Area code317
FIPS code18-53352[3]
GNIS feature ID2396805[2]

New Palestine (pronounced PAL-es-tēn) is a town in Sugar Creek Township, Hancock County, Indiana, along Sugar Creek. The population was 2,055 at the 2010 census.

History[edit]

New Palestine was laid out October 1, 1838, by Jonathan Evans.[4] It first consisted of fifteen blocks and thirty six lots.[5] A petition for the incorporation of New Palestine as a town was dated May 22, 1871, and presented to the board of county commissioners at the June session of 1871. At the time of the petition, New Palestine had a population of around 669 people. The vote for incorporation was held on June 24, 1871. Many years after incorporation, the town had difficulty with its name. The post office was known as Sugar Creek, the railroad and express stations as Palestine and the name of the town itself was New Palestine. Through the efforts of E.F. Faut and Congressman Bynum, the name of the post office was changed from Sugar Creek to New Palestine on January 16, 1889, and the name of the railroad station and express office were also changed to New Palestine.

Geography[edit]

According to the 2010 census, New Palestine has a total area of 1.09 square miles (2.82 km2), all land.[6]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880391
18904043.3%
19004449.9%
19104501.4%
1920442−1.8%
19304501.8%
1940448−0.4%
195050412.5%
196072543.8%
197086319.0%
1980749−13.2%
1990671−10.4%
20001,26488.4%
20102,05562.6%
20202,74433.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
Mural on the side of the New Palestine Museum
Intersection of Main Street and Depot

2010 census[edit]

As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 2,055 people, 779 households, and 587 families living in the town. The population density was 1,885.3 inhabitants per square mile (727.9/km2). There were 825 housing units at an average density of 756.9 per square mile (292.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 779 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the town was 37.2 years. 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[3] there were 1,264 people, 469 households, and 364 families living in the town. The population density was 1,685.7 inhabitants per square mile (650.9/km2). There were 500 housing units at an average density of 666.8 per square mile (257.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.66% White, 0.08% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population.

There were 469 households, out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $61,875, and the median income for a family was $71,667. Males had a median income of $50,156 versus $31,538 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,821. About 1.7% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture[edit]

New Palestine has a public library, a branch of the Hancock County Public Library.[9]

Education[edit]

New Palestine is home to the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County, which includes three elementary schools (New Palestine, Sugar Creek, and Brandywine), one junior high school (New Palestine Junior High), one intermediate school (New Palestine Intermediate) and one high school (also referred to as New Palestine High School).

The area includes Brandywine and Sugar Creek townships and is approximately 60 square miles (160 km2) in area. There are currently 3,206 students enrolled in the entire district. It is adjacent to Warren and Franklin township to its west and Shelby County to its south.

New Palestine High School is arguably the central hub of the town. Countless events occur year-round in the area, the most attended including football and basketball games, the beginning of the annual New Palestine Parade, and the annual Fall festival at the Lion's Club.

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: New Palestine, Indiana
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Richman, George J. (1916). History of Hancock County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions. Wm. Mitchell Printing Co.
  5. ^ Richman, George J. (1916). History of Hancock County, Indiana: Its People, Industries and Institutions. Wm. Mitchell Printing Company. pp. 764.
  6. ^ "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  9. ^ "Locations & Hours". Hancock County Public Library. Retrieved March 7, 2018.

External links[edit]